Michelle Obama gets new look for her 49th

WASHINGTON — There’s something a little different these days about Michelle Obama: bangs in her hair.

The first lady’s office posted a picture of Mrs. Obama’s new do on her new Twitter feed Thursday. It shows her meeting at the White House with one of eight citizens named co-chairs of President Barack Obama’s inauguration.

The last time Mrs. Obama was seen in public, earlier this month when she and her family returned from Hawaii, her dark, shoulder-length hair was held away from her face by a headband. Her next public appearances will come Saturday, when she helps kick off several days of inaugural festivities.

Thursday turned out to be a busy day for the first lady. Along with the new Twitter presence, she celebrated her 49th birthday.

Obamas mark first lady’s birthday dining Italian

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s inaugural festivities are only days away, but that’s not keeping him and Michelle Obama from celebrating the first lady’s birthday.

The White House says the president and Mrs. Obama are having dinner with friends at Cafe Milano, an Italian restaurant.

The first lady turned 49 on Thursday.

Reporters traveling with the president were not allowed to accompany him inside the restaurant in Washington’s upscale Georgetown neighborhood.

Earlier Thursday, Obama dropped by the headquarters of the Presidential Inaugural Committee to thank staffers for their hard work.